NEW TESTAMENT CHALLENGE: Online Roadmap

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”  –2 Peter 3:18

Growing churches are made up of growing people.  As God continues to bless and expand the impact of Emmanuel Fellowship, we believe it is essential for us to grow together in  understanding His Word!

You are invited to grow with us through the New Testament Challenge.  Beginning this Easter, we will embark on a journey through the pages of the New Testament.  Our journey will be marked by three points of contact:

• Daily Personal reading
• Weekly Lifegroup discussion
• Sunday morning teaching 

Through this journey, you will have an opportunity to grow in faith and apply God’s Word to your life.

 This Challenge is not for the faint of heart.  It will require dedication and perseverance, but the benefits will far outweigh the cost as we grow together and bring faith to life!

Read each day online at Biblia.com.

 

Week #1: Week of March 24 – Palm Sunday!

Day #00 – Sunday, March 24

• Message: The Challenge of the New Testament (Click to listen.)

Day #00 – Wednesday, March 27

• Lifegroup: Overview

Week #2: Week of March 31 – Easter!

Day #00 – Sunday, March 31

• Message: The Challenge of Radical Love

Day #1 – Monday, April 1

• Read Matthew 1-2, Acts 1-3

Day #2 – Tuesday, April 2

• Read Matthew 3-4, Acts 4-6

Day #3 – Wednesday, April 3

• Lifegroup Discussion
• Read Matthew 5-6, Acts 7-9

Day #4 – Thursday, April 4

• Read Matthew 7-8, Acts 10-12

Day #5 – Friday, April 5

• Read Matthew 9-10, Acts 13-15

 Day #6 – Saturday, April 6

• Read Matthew 11-12, Acts 16-18

Week #3: Week of April 7

Day #7 – Sunday, April 7

• Message: The Challenge of Forgiveness
• Read Matthew 13-14, Acts 19-21

Day #8 – Monday, April 8

• Read Matthew 15-16, Acts 22-24

Day #9 – Tuesday, April 9

• Read Matthew 17-18, Acts 25-27

Day #10 – Wednesday, April 10

• Lifegroup Discussion
• Read Matthew 19-20, Acts 28

Day #11 – Thursday, April 11

• Read Matthew 21-22, Romans 1-3

Day #12 – Friday, April 12

• Read Matthew 23-24, Romans 4-6

Day #13 – Saturday, April 13

• Read Matthew 25-26, Romans 7-9

Week #4: Week of April 14

Day #14 – Sunday, April 14

• Message: The Challenge of Perseverance
• Read Matthew 27-28, Romans 10-12

Day #15 – Monday, April 15

• Read Mark 1-2, Romans 13-15

Day #16 – Tuesday, April 16

• Read Mark 3-4, Romans 16

Day #17 – Wednesday, April 17

• Lifegroup Discussion
• Read Mark 5-6, 1 Corinthians 1-2

Day #18 – Thursday, April 18

• Read Mark 7-8, 1 Corinthians 3-4

Day #19 – Friday, April 19

• Read Mark 9-10, 1 Corinthians 5-7

Day #20 – Saturday, April 20

• Read Mark 11-12, 1 Corinthians 8-10
  

Week #5: Week of April 21

Day #21 – Sunday, April 21

• Message: The Challenge of Servanthood
• Read Mark 13-14, 1 Corinthians 11-13

Day #22 – Monday, April 22

• Read Mark 15-16, 1 Corinthians 14-16

Day #23 – Tuesday, April 23

• Read Luke 1-2, 2 Corinthians 1-3

Day #24 – Wednesday, April 24

• Read Luke 3, 2 Corinthians 4-6

Day #25 – Thursday, April 25

• Read Luke 4, 2 Corinthians 7-9

Day #26 – Friday, April 26

• Read Luke 5, 2 Corinthians 10-11

Day #27 – Saturday, April 27

• Read Luke 6, 2 Corinthians 12-13

Week #6: Week of April 28

Day #28 – Sunday, April 28

• Message: The Challenge of Generosity
• Read Luke 7, Galatians 1-3

Day #29 – Monday, April 29

• Read Luke 8, Galatians 4-6

Day #30 – Tuesday, April 30

• Read Luke 9, Ephesians 1-3

Day #31 – Wednesday, May 1

• Lifegroup Discussion
• Read Luke 10, Ephesians 4-6

Day #32 – Thursday, May 2

• Read Luke 11, Philippians 1-2

Day #33 – Friday, May 3

• Read Luke 12, Philippians 3-4

Day #34 – Saturday, May 4

• Read Luke 13, Colossians 1-2

Week #7: Week of May 5

Day #35 – Sunday, May 5

• Message: The Challenge of Obedience
• Read Luke 14, Colossians 3-4

Day #36 – Monday, May 6

• Read Luke 15, 1 Thessalonians 1-3

Day #37 – Tuesday, May 7

• Read Luke 16, 1 Thessalonians 4-6

Day #38 – Wednesday, May 8

• Lifegroup Discussion
• Read Luke 17, 2 Thessalonians 1-3

Day #39 – Thursday, May 9

• Read Luke 18, 1 Timothy 1-3

Day #40 – Friday, May 10

• Read Luke 19, 1 Timothy 4-6

Day #41 – Saturday, May 11

• Read Luke 20, 2 Timothy 1-2

Week #8: Week of May 12

Day #42 – Sunday, May 12 – Mother’s Day

• Message: The Challenge of Godliness
• Read Luke 21, 2 Timothy 3-4

Day #43 – Monday, May 13

• Read Luke 22, Titus 1-3

Day #44 – Tuesday, May 14

• Read Luke 23, Philemon 1

Day #45 – Wednesday, May 15

• Lifegroup Discussion
• Read Luke 24, Hebrews 1-2

Day #46 – Thursday, May 16

• Read John 1-2, Hebrews 3-4

Day #47 – Friday, May 17

• Read John 3-4, Hebrews 5-7

Day #48 – Saturday, May 18

• Read John 5-6, Hebrews 8-10

Week #9: Week of May 19

Day #49 – Sunday, May 19 – Pentecost

• Message: The Challenge of Eternity
• Read John 7-8, Hebrews 11-13

Day #50 – Monday, May 20

• Read John 9-10, Hebrews 14-16

Day #51 – Tuesday, May 21

• Read John 11-12, James 1-3

Day #52 – Wednesday, May 22

• Lifegroup Fellowship
• Read John 13-14, James 4-5

Day #53 – Thursday, May 23

• Read John 15-16, 1 Peter 1-2

Day #54 – Friday, May 24

• Read John 17-18, 1 Peter 3-5

Day #55 – Saturday, May 25

• Read John 19-20, 2 Peter 1-3

Week #10: Week of May 26

Day #56 – Sunday, May 26

• Message: Challenge Conclusion
• 1 John 1-5

Day #57 – Monday, May 27

• 2 John 1, 3 John 1, Jude 1

Day #58 – Tuesday, May 28

• Revelation 1-4

Day #59 – Wednesday, May 29

• Church-wide Fellowship
• Revelation 5-8

Day #60 – Thursday, May 30

• Revelation 9-12

Day #61 – Friday, May 31

• Revelation 13-16

Day #62 – Saturday, June 1

• Revelation 16-19

Day #63 – Sunday, June 2

• Revelation 20-22

 

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INTRODUCING: THE NEW TESTAMENT CHALLENGE!

You are invited to grow with us through the New Testament Challenge.  Beginning this Easter, we will embark on a journey through the pages of the New Testament.  Our journey will be marked by three points of contact:

• Daily Personal Reading
• Weekly Lifegroup Discussion
• Sunday Morning teaching

Find out more this Sunday at Emmanuel Fellowship Church of Sweetwater!

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MARRIAGE COACH: February Workout Schedule

All through the month of February we are working to strengthen marriages and families.  Make sure you are on track with these great opportunities to bring health to your home!

• Marriage Coach Sermon Series: Sunday mornings at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM.  Dive deeper at www.themarriagecoach.us!
• Membership Class: Sunday, February 10, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.  A vibrant church connection is a key ingredient to a healthy family.  You are invited to discover how your family can connect with the ministry and vision of EFC!
• Valentine Banquet: Wednesday, February 13.  Enjoy an evening of laughter, fun, and fine dining at the Annual EFC Valentine Banquet.  Seating is limited, tickets are on sale in the church foyer while supplies last!
• “Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage” DVD Seminar: Sunday evening February 17 & 24, at 6:00 PM.  Mark Gungor will have you rolling on the floor laughing as he equips couples with the tools necessary to engage in life-giving conversations and strengthen marriages. 
• Family Skate Night: Friday, February 15.  The big yellow bus will depart from EFC at 5:00 PM, as we head to the First Baptist Church of Abilene’s Family Life Center for an evening of bowling and skating.  The cost of $10 per family covers transportation, pizza, and all the family fun you can handle!

Podcast

Each week of January’s “Bringing Faith to Life” sermon series is now available online!  Click here to listen.

Video Intro

What does Sunday morning like around your house?  Click here to catch the video introduction from the February 3, Marriage Coach message.

You Heard it at EFC

1. “Your Love Never Fails” by Bethel Music
2. “I’ve Found A Love” Jenn Johnson version
3. “Draw Near” by Matt Stinton
4. “One Thing Remains” by Bethel Music

Sunday Preview

Next Sunday, February 10, we continue the Marriage Coach with a look at the impact of healthy finances on healthy families.  Our youth, grades 6-12, will continue to meet in the Salvage Yard for both services during the Marriage Coach Series, and quality children’s ministry is available every Sunday morning in both the 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM services.

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REAL TALK FOR REAL MARRIAGES

The Marriage Coach: Real Talk for Real Marriages

Sundays in February at Emmanuel Fellowship Church, Sweetwater

Services at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM

Get the details at www.themarriagecoach.us

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ANOTHER CHRISTMAS BIRTH STORY

At Christmas time, we’re used to reading the story of a birth. Just maybe not this birth.

“When the time came for her to give birth, there were twin boys in her womb. As she was giving birth, one of them put out his hand; so the midwife took a scarlet thread and tied it on his wrist and said, “This one came out first.” But when he drew back his hand, his brother came out, and she said,“So this is how you have broken out!” And he was named Perez.Then his brother, who had the scarlet thread on his wrist, came out. And he was named Zerah.^” - Genesis 38:27-30

What a bizarre story found in this tucked away corner of the Scripture. One son waves hello, gets a scarlet thread tied around his wrist, and then disappears. The other son… (continue reading at www.treasuretheordinary.blogspot.com)

On the Radar

• Children’s Christmas Pageant this Sunday, December 16, in both the 9:00 and 11:00 service. This special retelling of the both of Jesus is always a highlight of the Christmas season at Emmanuel Fellowship!
• All Church Christmas Party, Hayride, & LiveNativity Wednesday, December 19, at 7:00 pm, at the Sweetwater Lake Campground.  Dress warm and bring a snack as we celebrate Christmas together!
• 2013 Pathways for Pilgrims Calendars for Sale in the church bookstore.  These beautiful calendars have been published by the artists of EFC and are filled with original art.  All proceeds support EFC mission trips!

Sunday Preview

This Sunday, December 16, we continue our Scarlet Thread sermon series with a look at Rahab, a citizen of Jericho who became part of the bloodline of Jesus.  Our children will also present their Christmas pageant in both the 9:00 and 11:00 service this Sunday morning.

 

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IT’S TIME TO LIGHT THE NIGHT!

Emmanuel Fellowship Church in Sweetwater will host their annual Light the Night fall festival this Sunday, October 28, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.  You are invited to join us for an evening of fun for the whole family.  This friendly and safe alternative to Halloween will feature games and prizes in the main church building as well as outside activities including air castles, hay rides, and a tight rope circus performance. 

All of the activities for the evening are free.  A concession stand will also be available for those who would like to purchase a meal.

Emmanuel Fellowship Church is located at 1418 Hailey Street in Sweetwater, Texas.  Light the Night is always a packed event with hundreds of children and their parents enjoying the evening.  Make plans to arrive early so your children can enjoy all Light the Night has to offer.  Follow the signs to our Kid’s Space entrance where you will receive your welcome bag and free tickets for all of the fun activities.

We look forward to Lighting the Night with you!

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BREAKING THROUGH INTO THE NEW

A view of the new through a hole in the old!

Amazing things continue to unfold each week at EFC, and I don’t want your family to miss out on any of the fun.  Please make sure you have the following info on your family calendar.

Sunday, October 28: Our last morning in the old sanctuary.  Join us for worship at 9:00 AM or 11:00 AM.

Sunday, October 28: Light the Night!  An evening of fun for the whole family from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM including games, prizes, hayride, concessions, and a circus performer.  Friendly costumes are welcome.

Monday, October 29: Church work day from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM.  Come anytime in the afternoon or evening for the final demolition of the old sanctuary.

Wednesday, October 31: Lifegroups meet at 7:00 PM.  Kid’s Church will still meet at church from 6:45 PM to 8:45 PM.

Sunday, November 4: EFC will meet for worship at the City Auditorium (400 Locust Street) in one service at 11:00 AM.  Kid’s Church will be available at the church (1418 Hailey) from 10:30 AM to 1:00PM.

Wednesday, November 7: Lifegroups meet at 7:00 PM.  Kid’s Church will still meet at church from 6:45 PM to 8:45 PM.

Sunday, November 11: EFC will meet for worship at the City Auditorium (400 Locust Street) in one service at 11:00 AM.  Kid’s Church will be available at the church (1418 Hailey) from 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM.

Wednesday, November 7: Lifegroups meet at 7:00 PM.  Kid’s Church will still meet at church from 6:45 PM to 8:45 PM.

Sunday, November 18: Celebration Sunday in our New Sanctuary at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM!  Plan on bringing a friend and let’s fill up those new seats!

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THE ROAD TO RECOVERY

No one makes it through life without facing obstacles.  And wrestling with our hurts, habits, and hang-ups can leave us lonely and confused as we make our way through the journey.

But, God offers hope!

Sundays in October and November, we will explore the journey of hope and healing through our “Road to Recovery” sermon series.  Through this series, we will study and apply the Biblical principles of “Celebrate Recovery,” established by John Baker and Rick Warren of Saddleback Church.

We all need recovery, and no matter what the problem, the steps to recovery are the same. The steps on the road to recovering are:

• October 7: The First Step To Freedom
• October 14:  Where To Get Help When You Hurt
• October 21: Letting Go
• October 28: Coming Clean
• November 4: Making Changes
• November 11: Repairing Relationships
• November 18: Maintaining Momentum
• November 25: Recycling My Pain

You are invited to walk this journey with us as we discover the healing choices that can set us free from our past and position us to embrace God’s future for our lives!

I have seen what they do, but I will heal them anyway!  I will lead them. I will comfort those who mourn, bringing words of praise to their lips.  May they have abundant peace, both near and far,” says the Lord, who heals them.  –Isaiah 57:18-19

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BACK TO CHURCH SUNDAY!

“Put the fam in the van and get back to church!”

This Sunday, September, 16, we join over 10,000 churches in celebrating Back to Church Sunday.  Make plans to invite your family and friends to reconnect with the Body of Christ as we reprioritize our hearts and homes!

If you have found yourself disconnected or discouraged with the church, we invite you to join us at Emmanuel Fellowship Church in Sweetwater for a refreshing morning of worship and ministry.   Come experience a friendly atmosphere, casual worship environment, and quality children’s ministry in a church designed with the whole family in mind.   

The Sunday morning worship times for Emmanuel Fellowship Church are 9:00 am and 11:00 am.  Both morning services are filled with the same warm fellowship, dynamic worship, and life-giving messages, as well as top-notch children’s ministry and nursery care for children up to 5^th grade.  For more information about the ministry of EFC, log onto the church website at www.efcsweetwater.com. 

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LIFEGROUPS: 20/20 VISION

I am very excited about the kickoff of our Fall semester of Lifegroups.  As your family gets back into the rhythm of the school year, I pray you will make connecting with a weekly Lifegroup an essential part of your growth plan.

Our vision for Lifegroups comes from Paul’s instruction in Acts 20:20:

You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house.  – Acts 20:20

It is our goal as a church family, to help followers of Jesus grow in their faith.  We believe part of a 20/20 vision for your life includes active participation in a weekly worship service AND connecting with a home based Lifegroup.

Most of our Lifegroups meet on Wednesday evenings and allow families an opportunity to send their children to one of our quality age based ministry opportunities, from Worldchangers for our elementary aged children to The Salvage Yard for our middle and high school youth.  A safe and loving nursery is also provided during Lifegroup meetings.  After parents check their children in, they are free to head to a Lifegroup for an evening of worship, Bible study and fellowship.

Below is a list of our Fall 2012 Lifegroups.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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